Elachistidae

38.014 Blister Grass-miner Elachista unifasciella (Haworth, 1828)

pRDB3

Similar species:

Forewing: 4.5 to 5mm

Habitats:

Habits:

Foodplant: The larva forms a mine in a leaf of Cock’s-foot or occasionally False Brome. It initially forms a long transparent and often blistered mine before overwintering in the withered leaves. In the spring it makes a pale blister mine on a prostrate basal leaf causing the frass filled tip to pucker and wilt. The larva is stout, light yellow, with a light brown head and prothoracic plate. Pupation is in May on a leaf attached with a silk girdle or in the ground debris.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Downy Oat-grass, Creeping Soft-grass and Wood Millet.